You can buy health gadgets like smart rings and smartwatches, so maybe it’s not surprising that technology has reached the toilet realm. Enter Dekoda, Kohler’s new toilet camera. This clever device takes pictures of what’s in the bowl and sends them to an app that analyzes your stool to assess your gut health. It costs $599 plus an annual subscription.
Kohler isn’t alone in this space; Throne, a $319 gadget from an Austin startup, also tracks stool and hydration patterns automatically. Their pitch? You can catch changes in your health early and make better choices daily.
But who is all this for? The Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Žižek once commented on the differences between toilet designs in various cultures. He talked about how toilets in different countries reflect diverse attitudes toward waste. American toilets, for example, keep waste visible but not easily inspected.
Interestingly, in today’s world, talking about poop is becoming almost trendy. People are sharing their “poop logs” on platforms like TikTok. One user proudly reported, “I have pooped 329 days this year,” noting the weight of her output. Such openness is part of a growing conversation around gut health.
Kash Kapadia, the CEO of Kohler Health, suggested that our waste can offer deep insights into our health. He said, “People think waste is something you flush away, but it really contains a lot of insights about us.”
A tool often used in this discussion is the Bristol stool scale, which categorizes stool types. Types three and four are generally considered ideal. This scale helps doctors diagnose issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Talk of IBS is no longer whispered; in fact, a 2022 article in Allure claimed we are entering an “age of IBS empowerment.”
As for the Dekoda, it works by activating with your fingerprint. When you begin, the camera captures images as soon as urine hits the water. These images are then sent to the cloud for analysis, using algorithms that provide results within minutes.
Privacy is a big concern, though. While Kohler says their device includes security measures, many might still be hesitant about a camera watching over such a personal aspect of life. Joana Gaia, a professor who studies health data systems, argued that while the toilet camera may seem less intrusive than wearables like Fitbits, the data it collects raises questions: “Who owns all this data, and what could they potentially do with it?”
Amanda Sauceda, a registered dietitian, points out a worrying trend: “With the rise in colon cancer among young people, there’s more focus on what’s happening in our toilets.” She believes companies are cashing in on our health anxieties.
However, there might be downsides. An obsession with having perfect stool can be harmful. “Chasing the ‘ideal gut’ is not realistic,” Sauceda cautioned. Other experts, like Ashley Oswald, point out that stool composition can change frequently, calling into question how useful these tracking devices really are.
In essence, while Dekoda and similar gadgets bring an innovative twist to monitoring health, professionals warn against losing sight of fundamental health practices like proper diet and exercise. You don’t need advanced technology to take care of your gut; often, good old-fashioned awareness is enough.
For more information on understanding gut health and how to assess your stool effectively, you can refer to this Bristol stool chart.
